Ahead Of Appeal, Church Calls On Pussy Riot To Repent

The Russian Orthodox Church has urged the three jailed members of the punk group Pussy Riot to repent suggesting it could help them win leniency from a court reviewing an appeal of their sentence.

In a statement, the church said that if the women make statements showing "repentance and regret," their words "shouldn't be left unnoticed."

At the same time, it repeated their actions "offended the feelings of believers" and "must not go unpunished."

The women were convicted on charges of hooliganism and inciting religious hatred and sentenced to two years in prison last month for performing a song against President Vladimir Putin in Moscow's Orthodox cathedral.

The Moscow city court is set to hear an appeal against their sentence on October 1.